Holding device for an electronic device

Abstract

According to one aspect, the subject application involves a holding device for an electronic device. The holding device includes a first clip adapted to cooperate with a peripheral portion of the electronic device. A second clip opposes the first clip and is separated from the first clip by a first distance. The second clip is adapted to cooperate with a separate peripheral portion of the electronic device. A substantially-elastic band is provided to extend between the first clip and the second clip, and a back plate is at least partially disposed between the first clip and the second clip.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A holding device for an electronic device, the holding device comprising:
 a first clip adapted to cooperate with a peripheral portion of the electronic device; 
 a second clip that opposes the first clip and is separated from the first clip by a first distance, wherein the second clip is adapted to cooperate with a separate peripheral portion of the electronic device; 
 a substantially-elastic band that extends between and couples the first clip and the second clip; and 
 a back plate that is at least partially disposed between the first clip and the second clip, wherein 
 the back plate is positioned to be at least partially supported between the substantially-elastic band and the electronic device when the electronic device is coupled to the holding device; 
 wherein at least one of the first clip and the second clip comprises a substantially C-shaped portion that extends at least partially around at least one of the peripheral portion and the separate peripheral portion of the electronic device to couple the electronic device to the holding device; and 
 wherein at least one of the first clip and the second clip further comprises an additional recessed portion for receiving a control device of the electronic device to protect the control device from adjustment while the electronic device is coupled to the holding device. 
 
     
     
       2. The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the first distance separating the first clip from the second clip when the substantially-elastic band is in an unbiased state is less than a second distance separating the peripheral portion of the electronic device and the separate peripheral portion of the electronic device to be coupled to the holding device. 
     
     
       3. The holding device of  claim 2 , wherein the first distance is a distance separating portions of the first and second clips that are adapted to cooperate with the peripheral and the separate peripheral portions of the electronic device, and wherein the second distance is another distance separating the peripheral and the separate peripheral portions of the electronic device that are to cooperate with the portions of the first and second clips. 
     
     
       4. The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the back plate comprises at least one slot that receives at least a portion of the substantially-elastic band. 
     
     
       5. The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the back plate extends to an elevation that is vertically lower than the first and second clips when the electronic device is coupled to the holding device. 
     
     
       6. The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the back plate comprises a friction-enhancing texture to enhance friction between the back plate and an article of clothing or other item to which the holding device is to be coupled. 
 
     
     
       7. A holding device for an electronic device, the holding device comprising:
 a first clip adapted to cooperate with a peripheral portion of the electronic device; 
 a second clip that opposes the first clip and is separated from the first clip by a first distance, wherein the second clip is adapted to cooperate with a separate peripheral portion of the electronic device; 
 a substantially-elastic band that extends between and couples the first clip and the second clip; and 
 a back plate that is at least partially disposed between the first clip and the second clip, wherein 
 at least one of the first clip and the second clip comprises an arcuate slot defined at least in part by a pedestal about which the band extends. 
 
     
     
       8. A holding device for an electronic device, the holding device comprising:
 a first clip adapted to cooperate with a peripheral portion of the electronic device; 
 a second clip that opposes the first clip and is separated from the first clip by a first distance, wherein the second clip is adapted to cooperate with a separate peripheral portion of the electronic device; 
 a substantially-elastic band that extends between and couples the first clip and the second clip; and 
 a back plate that is at least partially disposed between the first clip and the second clip, wherein 
 the back plate is positioned to be at least partially supported between the substantially-elastic band and the electronic device when the electronic device is coupled to the holding device; and 
 
       wherein the holding device further comprises a kickstand pivotally coupled to the back plate to be deployed for maintaining the electronic device, when coupled to the holding device, in a generally upright orientation. 
     
     
       9. The holding device of  claim 8 , wherein the kickstand is substantially flush with the back plate when the kickstand is pivoted to a stowed orientation. 
     
     
       10. A holding device for an electronic device, the holding device comprising:
 a first clip adapted to cooperate with a peripheral portion of the electronic device; 
 a second clip that opposes the first clip and is separated from the first clip by a first distance, wherein the second clip is adapted to cooperate with a separate peripheral portion of the electronic device; 
 a substantially-elastic band that extends between and couples the first clip and the second clip; 
 a back plate that is at least partially disposed between the first clip and the second clip; and 
 a kickstand pivotally coupled to the back plate to be deployed for maintaining the electronic device, when coupled to the holding device, in a generally upright orientation, wherein 
 the kickstand is substantially flush with the back plate when the kickstand is pivoted to a stowed orientation, and wherein 
 the kickstand comprises at least one slot that receives at least a portion of the band when in the stowed orientation.